The current economic situation and outlook, as well as the monetary policy, were the main focus of the hearing held twice a year.

Yellen told lawmakers she expected "a great deal of continuity" in the central bank's monetary policy, saying that she served on the Fed policy-setting committee as the bank formulated its current policy strategy and she strongly supported that strategy.

Yellen, 67, took the oath of office to lead the Federal Reserve System on Feb. 3 Heren Air Max 97 Zilver Grijs Kopen , succeeding Ben Bernanke, who stepped down after eight turbulent years. She was previously the Fed's vice Chair.

In the public debut in her new role, Yellen said while the economy gained steam at the end of 2013, recovery in the U.S. labor market was "far from complete," underscoring the importance of considering more than just the unemployment rate when evaluating the conditions of the labor market.

Her point of keeping an eye on wider range of labor indicators is particularly important as the unemployment rate, now at 6.6 percent Heren Air Max 97 Zwart Zilver Kopen , is near the 6.5 percent threshold the Fed once identified as the level that would need to be reached before officials would consider a hike in the interest rates.

"If coming information broadly supports the Committee's expectation of ongoing improvement in labor market conditions and inflation moving back toward its long-run objective, the Committee will likely reduce the pace of asset purchases in further measured steps at future meetings," Yellen indicated steady pullback in Fed stimulus, referring to the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets monetary policy.

While admitting she was "surprised" by the two recent jobs reports that showed the pace of job creation running under what she had expected, Yellen cautioned against jumping to conclusions of the longer trend. She told the Congress that the Fed needs to see a "notable change" in the economic outlook to consider pausing its withdrawal of stimulus.

The Fed trimmed its monthly purchases of Treasury and mortgage- backed securities by a total of 10 billion dollars in both December and January Heren Nike Air Max 97 Wit Zwart Kopen , citing strengthening economy and continued improvement in the labor market.

The Fed policymakers have suggested they would continue to reduce the bond buying, which now totals 65 billion dollars a month, at a similar pace at each Fed meeting and end it by the end of 2014, provided the economy develops generally in line with expectations.

Yellen also highlighted the Fed's financial regulatory role, saying that the work of making the financial system more robust " has not yet been completed."

SPLMnorthern sector Chairman Malik Agar affirmed complete cessation of any participation in the negotiations or any contacts with the government, saying that the real future of the group lies in "removing the current government and building of a democratic system for all the Sudanese."

He also said that leaders would begin a new procession to rebuild the movement according to the vision of "a new Sudan for all the Sudanese men and women."

The movement, which has been fighting the Sudanese government at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011, is split, as internally, the Nuba Mountains Liberation Council (NMLC) and the Blue Nile Liberation Council diverged on the leave or stay of Agar Heren Nike Air Max 97 Ultra Particle Rose Kopen , the movement leader.

More than 10 rounds of peace talks have been held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa between the Sudanese government and the SPLMnorthern, under the patronage of the African Union, but have failed to reach a peace deal regarding South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.

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CANBERRA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A pre-exercise dairy diet may reduce the risk of bone breaks, according to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Tuesday the AIS had found a dairy-rich meal around two-hours before exercise could counter calcium lost during exercise.

Athletes in low-impact sports, such as cycling Heren Nike Air Max 97 Zwart Rood Kopen , rowing and swimming, lose calcium through sweating which can weaken the bones and lead to osteoporosis later in life.